After meeting the people promoting their sites at the Western New England Bridal Show, we were wowed by the options. It is clear that whatever you are looking for, you can definitely find it in Western Massachusetts. There was such a range- from fabulous hotels to historic estates with spectacular grounds to upscale restaurants.

We met Holly and Michael from The Hotel Northampton at the Baystate Bridal Expo. We had already known about the Hotel from visiting Northampton last spring. It is a gorgeous, historic building; we were looking forward to getting to know the people who worked there. I am so glad we did. Holly and Michael are amazing. They really know what they are doing and they provide the highest quality service to their brides. Holly is at all of the weddings, an extra level of guidance. Her couples are so lucky to have her.

The Hotel Northampton will help you with everything and even create a beautiful and great-tasting cake for your day….
Hotel Northampton Wedding Cake

Check out their website for more info.

If you are looking to have your reception at a restaurant, check out the Westwood Restaurant and Pub or Chandler’s Restaurant. Tracy and her crew were in the booth next to ours. This was their first time at one of these shows. They had an elegant and professional look. I am sure their events are pulled off without a hitch.

Here’s a few images of their scrumptious chocolate fountain and their sample table setting….
Westwood Restaurant and Pub- Chocolate Fountain for Weddings

Westwood Restaurant and Pub- dinner setting for weddings

Chandler’s provides an upscale, warm and romantic environment for bridal showers, rehearsal dinners, and wedding receptions. I met the catering manager, Amanda, at the show. We are looking forward to working with her and taking some images of an upcoming event for the restaurant. We will definitely share the pix when we take them.

If you are looking for an historic estate, you have so many amazing options. The Harding Allen Estate in Barre, MA is a stunning site. This grand mansion evokes memories of opulence and style form the roaring twenties. The catering services are provided by a groumet chef. The grounds are filled with flowers in the summer and changing colors in the fall. And to top it off, owners Grace and Carmin have the experience of three generations in this business. We will be working with them to create some images of their estate very soon.

A little closer to the Pioneer Valley, check out The Carriage House at the Barney Estate, Emma’s Place on Wilder Pond, and King Philip’s Stockade in Springfield. These city owned properties provide a breadth of options with green space in abundance.
mai-vt-2
Or if you would like to plan a weekend get-away for your guests, try a retreat in Vermont. The Mountain Meadows Lodge is a lakefront property in Killington; here Anne and Bill will take great care of you so that you can relax and enjoy time with your guests. Some of the special touches available here include a “rowboat” bar, hikes to nearby waterfalls, farm animal feedings, and my personal favorite a campfire with marshmallow roasting and s’mores. We can’t wait to check the place out in person!